Governor Robert Bentley resigns from post after sex scandal and two misdemeanor charges

Montgomery, AL, United States (4E) – Governor Robert Bentley resigned on Monday after the sex scandal that broke out months ago and the new charges against him wherein he pleaded guilty.

The resignation was mostly because of the plea agreement regarding the two misdemeanor charges against him namely failing to file a major contribution report and knowingly converting campaign contributions to personal use. He made his guilty plea on Monday. As for the sex scandal, he admitted last March 2016 that he made sexually charged remarks to his senior political adviser, identified as Rebekah Caldwell Mason.

Bentley released a statement regarding his resignation, “I have decided it is time for me to step down as Alabama’s governor. I can no longer allow my family and my dear friends … to be subjected to the consequences that my past actions have brought upon them.” He did not, however, give full details about the reason for the resignation.

The resignation also came after many called for his resignation after a report regarding the misdemeanor charges were made public. In the report, Bentley was accused of creating an atmosphere of intimidation and compelled the state employees to help him conceal the relationship. The 74-year-old denied in the past about having a physical relationship with Mason.

In the report, it was also revealed that Bentley tried to use a member of his security to end things with Mason. At one point, he also demanded that Mason should be allowed to travel in official vehicles even if she was no longer an employee.

For the money-related charges, the court documents released also detailed that Bentley did not disclose a $50,000 personal loan to his campaign account. The documents also claimed that he allowed around $9,000 from his campaign money to be used for the lawyers of Mason.

The successor of Bentley is Lt. Governor Kay Ivey. She is a former state treasurer and the second woman to hold the office. She assured the citizens, “The Ivey administration will be open, it will be transparent and it will be honest.”